Meriden man gets 4 years in rape

NEW HAVEN  A Meriden man will serve four years in prison for raping a one-time female friend.

Michelle Tuccitto

Published 12:00 am, Saturday, March 13, 2004

Superior Court Judge Roland Fasano on Friday sentenced Stanford Hammie, 33, formerly of Grove Street, to four years, followed by six years of special parole.

Hammie entered a guilty plea under the Alford doctrine in January to one count of first-degree sexual assault. He was arrested after the May 2003 incident in Meriden.

An Alford plea means Hammie does not admit guilt, but concedes the state has enough evidence to secure a conviction if the case went to trial.

Victim Advocate Diane Langlan read aloud a letter from the woman in court. In it, the complainant addressed Hammie directly.

"You raped me and left me to bleed to death," the victim wrote. "You were my friend. I was so scared I was going to die that night. You took a big part of my life. What you did to me was very wrong. You need help and I pray you are getting it."

On Friday, Hammie continued to maintain his innocence.

"I did not assault anyone," Hammie said, when given an opportunity to address Fasano.

"These allegations are not true  I am innocent. This whole ordeal has affected me and my family greatly."

It was an emotional proceeding for everyone involved, with the victim sobbing after the sentencing and the accuseds loved ones crying and blowing kisses to the defendant as he was led away.

Hammies defense attorney, Beth Merkin, said her client admits having sexual contact with the complainant, but says it was consensual. Merkin told Fasano her client passed a polygraph test.

Fasano, however, said he did not find the results of the lie detector test persuasive.

"There was strong corroborating evidence, including injuries to the victim," Fasano said. "At least the victim wont have to go through a trial and will have closure."

Fasano ruled that Hammie must register as a sex offender and undergo sex offender treatment.